Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio OK I took the stereo out but now what???

If you MUST cut/splice the wires, on the speaker wiring harness the brown wires are generally negative and the white wires are generally positive.

The adapter is a much easier way, but if you splice and dice, MAKE SURE YOU SOLDER THE CONNECTIONS after you get everything right and then cover each wire wires with good grade electrical tape, shrink tubing or both.

Good Luck.

I'm sure i'm probably wrong here, but doesn't the adapter still require splicing?

Nope. With the adapter you just solder the wires from the radio to the adapter and it just plugs into the one that comes out of the back of the stock stereo.

Yes, you have to connect the harness that comes with the radio to the wiring harness you buy separately.

ahhh...they have improved since the last time I saw one (1992).

I'm probably going to receive a lot of flak for this, but I personally HATE adapter harnesses unless I am absolutely unsure of what the color code is.

First you have to splice/solder the new HU output wired to the adapter, then plug in the adapter to the factory (sucky) adapter, etc. etc.

Does this make it easier? YES.
Does it make it easier to replace your HU with the stock one if you sell the car? Yes

Does cutting the factory ends off of the factory wires and then cutting and splicing them (properly, of course) give a better electrical/mechanical connection???
You bet.

(and I can get a $39.00 Rat shack cassette deck to throw back in the car if/when I sell same.)

Personally, all those adapters give me is BAD reliability.

Rob-o

I've never had a problem using wire adapters provided they're the correct ones. If you buy the cheap crap, that's exactly what you get.

If you've got hearing that can distinguish between adapter or no adapter, you'd be like the sonar guy on "Down Periscope"!!!

I've never had a problem using wire adapters provided they're the correct ones. If you buy the cheap crap, that's exactly what you get.

If you've got hearing that can distinguish between adapter or no adapter, you'd be like the sonar guy on "Down Periscope"!!!

Exactly. Most people can't hear the minute amount of difference. Just get the adapter and save yourself a lot of time and energy.

Well, I just came back from Radio Shack and they had an adaptor but on the other side it had a connector for their optimus stereo that we all know..SUCK. It was 15 bucks but I would have to cut off the other end of it. I wonder if this is a good way to go??
Somebody said wallmart has a good one but there aren't any around my area(Bay Area)
Circuit city and Good guys want like 30 bucks. On the net they are better but shipping kills me.